THE RICHEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD

"Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has bestowed on us in Christ every spiritual blessing in the heavens!" —Ephesians 1:3

Some of our Protestant brothers and sisters accuse Catholics of complicating the faith. Catholics insist on the hierarchical Church, the deposit of the faith, the Magisterium, the liturgical year, and several other complex systems. Then we bring up Mary, and, if that's not enough, we speak of her Immaculate Conception, the virgin-birth of her Son, Jesus, her assumption into heaven, and her roles as mediatrix and queen of heaven. We seem to complicate our complications. Actually, we are letting the all-holy, triune God lavish His riches on us.

Mary is the quintessential example of spiritual richness. She has always been astoundingly rich in holiness, purity, and power. She truly is the queen of heaven and earth with all the riches accompanying queenship. Mary is the example of what the Lord has in store for us. He wants to make us immaculate through repentance and then take us up to heaven where we will reign forever with Him. Then we will be rich beyond all measure and imagining.

Today's celebration of Mary's Immaculate Conception brings up "immeasurably more than we ask or imagine" (Eph 3:20). Let God be God, and enrich us in a most mysterious way.

Prayer: Father, I rejoice that You are a God way beyond my understanding.

Promise: "Mary said: 'I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say.' " —Lk 1:38

Praise: "How deep are the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God!" (Rm 11:33) Praise You, Lord, for Mary's obedient response to Your plan for salvation.

(For a related teaching, order our tape on Immaculate Heart of Mary on audio AV 19-1 or video V-19.)

Nihil obstat: Reverend Richard Walling, July 7, 2004

Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 19, 2004

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